Waste2Green

Waste2Green is an innovation project developed under the EIT Food Impact Funding Framework (2023–2025) that aims to address two major challenges of the agri-food system: the environmental burden of agro-industrial wastewater treatment and the dependence of agriculture on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

The core objective of the project is to develop a sustainable and economically viable bioconversion technology that uses food industry wastewater as a nutrient source for cultivating microalgae. These microalgae transform residual carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus into high-value biomass, which is then processed into natural biostimulants and biopesticides for agricultural use. This approach creates a fully circular model in which waste streams are converted into sustainable inputs for food production.

Waste2Green introduces several key innovations, including a modular and mobile wastewater valorization system that operates directly at the source, reducing transport and energy costs; the selection of seasonally optimized microalgal strains to ensure year-round biomass production; and the integration of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to guarantee traceability, regulatory compliance, and transparency of the final bioproducts in line with EU regulations.

The project directly benefits biostimulant producers and wastewater treatment companies by providing a cost-effective, sustainable feedstock and an alternative wastewater treatment approach aligned with circular economy principles. Indirectly, it benefits farmers through improved crop performance and reduced reliance on chemical inputs, as well as society and the environment through lower pollution, improved soil health, and reduced carbon footprint.

With an 18-month duration, Waste2Green combines research, pilot-scale demonstration, industrial scaling, and commercialization planning, targeting market entry in Spain with expansion to other European countries and South America. Overall, the project contributes directly to the EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Circular Economy Action Plan, supporting the transition towards a net-zero, regenerative, and more resilient food system.